Claudine Barretto first love became a trending topic after the actress clarified her remarks about Mark Anthony Fernandez and explained why the late Rico Yan remains her “greatest love.”

On Monday, January 19, Claudine posted a belated birthday greeting for Mark Anthony, who turned 47 on January 18. The actress shared an affectionate message reflecting on their youthful romance, describing him as her “first love” and “first everything,” including her first heartbreak.

“Belated happy birthday to my first love. My first everything, especially my first heartbreak,” Claudine wrote. “i have said this before, and i will say it again—if I were to live my life all over again, i had still choose you to be my first.”

She went on to praise Mark Anthony for the man he has become, expressing gratitude for the respect and kindness he showed her even after their relationship ended.

“I never thought i had ever be friends with my ex, but Mark is definitely the exception,” she said. “A true gentleman with one of the kindest souls I have ever met.”

Claudine also thanked him for never speaking ill of her and for protecting her, even from afar. She ended her message with, “I have no regrets, only great memories. I love you, ex,” accompanied by a heart emoji. The post included what appeared to be a screenshot from a video call with Mark Anthony and carried the hashtag #MarkDine, a nod to their former love team.

However, the post quickly drew attention from fans who remembered Claudine’s long and iconic relationship with the late Rico Yan. One social media user commented, “I thought Rico Yan was your first love,” prompting Claudine to respond simply but meaningfully: “Greatest love PO.”

The actress has consistently referred to Rico as her “greatest love” in multiple interviews over the years. In 2022, when asked to describe her former leading men, Claudine again used the same phrase to describe Rico, while calling Mark Anthony her “first love.”

She reiterated this distinction in a 2024 interview with broadcast journalist Karen Davila, where she reflected on love and loss while discussing her annual visits to Rico’s tomb.

“Kasi, Karen, I realized that in your life, they say you only have one great love,” Claudine said. “For me, that was once upon a time—just once upon a time.”

Claudine and Mark Anthony were in a relationship during their teenage years, with Mark Anthony being 18 and Claudine just 16. Both have previously shared that their young romance ended without proper closure, but over time, they rebuilt a friendship rooted in mutual respect.

Claudine later met Rico Yan while working on the 1996 film Radio Romance. Their on-screen chemistry soon turned into a real-life relationship in 1998, capturing the hearts of fans nationwide. Their four-year relationship became one of the most beloved love stories in Philippine showbiz.

Rico Yan passed away in March 2002 due to acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis that led to cardiac arrest. His death left a deep impact on Claudine, who has since spoken openly about how his memory continues to shape her views on love, life, and loss.

By distinguishing between her “first love” and her “greatest love,” Claudine offered fans a nuanced and honest reflection on her personal history—one that acknowledges youthful beginnings while honoring a love that left a lasting mark on her life.